Chelsea have set their asking price for Liam Delap as Newcastle United and Everton eye summer moves for the striker.
Chelsea beat a host of Premier League rivals to sign Delap in a £30m deal from Ipswich Town last summer.
Delap caught the attention of several clubs after an impressive first season in the top-flight in which he scored 12 goals for relegated Ipswich.
Much was expected of the 23-year-old, who came from the ranks at Manchester City, but he endured a miserable first season at Stamford Bridge.
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Delap only scored two goals in 41 appearances and was forced to play back-up to fellow summer signing Joao Pedro.
A hugely underwhelming 12 months in west London has led to speculation Delap could be on the move this summer, with Chelsea expected to sell one striker.
Pedro has attracted interest from Barcelona but is deemed ‘untouchable’ by Chelsea, who are more open to selling one of Delap or the returning Nicolas Jackson.
Newcastle and Everton have reportedly expressed interest in Delap but the Daily Mail say Chelsea want at least £40m for the striker.
Eddie Howe is keen to sign a new No. 9 this summer following Nick Woltemade’s struggles at St James’ Park.
The Germany international was signed as Alexander Isak’s replacement and enjoyed a bright start to his Newcastle career before fading away and even dropping into midfield at times last season.
Everton, who were keen to sign Delap last summer, are also preparing to bolster David Moyes’ attacking options amid speculation Thierno Barry could be sold.
Bundesliga side RB Leipzig have made an enquiry for Barry, who joined the Toffees last summer in a deal worth £27m.
In an exclusive interview with Metro, former England midfielder Danny Murphy suggested incoming Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso would block Delap from leaving Stamford Bridge.
‘I think any manager coming in has to give players a chance so I think he’ll want to look at them and see what they’ve got,’ he said on behalf of NetBet football.
‘The other thing is that there might not be other clubs who want to take them with the wages they are on or pay the fee for them.
‘That is just the dynamic of football politics and transfers, you can easily say “they haven’t done very well let’s move them on”, but where to, and for how much?
‘I think Alejandro Garnacho has struggled, and the fans haven’t taken to him. A lot of Chelsea’s wide players have struggle to be honest, if you look at their front line, it’s only really Joao Pedro who has done well.
‘If one was going to leave, I think it would more likely be Garnacho than Liam Delap.
‘Delap is a young lad, and he brings some characteristics that Chelsea don’t have. He’s different to Joao Pedro so I think Xabi Alonso will give him a crack.’
But ex-Chelsea midfielder Andy Townsend believes Delap should be sold, claiming he ‘looks like a Championship player’.
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